What You Need to Play American Mahjong: A Beginner's Checklist

Learning American mahjong is easier when the table is set up properly. Here is what a group of four needs, in order of importance.

1. An American mahjong set

You need a set with 152 tiles, including 8 jokers; sets sold as 160 or 166 include extras. Make sure it is an American set, not a Chinese one, which has no jokers. Read how many tiles are in an American set and American vs Chinese sets before you buy, then browse American mahjong sets.

2. Four racks with pushers

Each player needs a rack to hold their hand and a pusher to move their wall of 19 tiles, two high. Choose a length that fits your tiles: our rack size guide has a simple measuring rule. Some sets include racks; otherwise see racks and pushers.

3. A mahjong mat

A mat keeps the game quiet and stops tiles sliding. Pick a size that suits your table with our mat size guide, then browse mahjong mats.

4. Dice

Dice decide where the wall is broken at the start of each hand. Many sets include them; spares are in dice and scoring.

5. This year's card of hands, one per player

American mahjong hands change every year. The card is published by the National Mah Jongg League and sold by the League, so order one for each player directly from them. A card holder keeps it upright and readable.

6. Scoring chips or coins

Many groups pay small stakes or keep score with chips. They are optional but make the game feel complete.

7. A bag to carry it all

If you play at different houses, a mahjong bag or case that holds the tiles and racks, plus a mat bag, makes game night easy.

Setting up the table

1. Lay the mat in the middle of the table, with one rack in front of each of the four players.
2. Turn all the tiles face down and shuffle them.
3. Each player builds a wall of 19 tiles, two high, along the pusher arm of their rack.
4. The dealer, called East, rolls the dice to decide where the wall is broken, and the deal begins.
5. After the deal comes the Charleston, a series of tile passes between players, and then play starts.

Where to learn the rules

The National Mah Jongg League publishes the official rules as well as the yearly card. Many community centers, clubs and libraries run beginner classes, and playing with experienced players is the fastest way to learn.

Frequently asked questions

How many players do you need?

American mahjong is played by four players, each with their own rack.

Can I use last year's card?

You can practice with it, but groups play from the current year's card, and the hands change every year.

Does a set come with racks and a mat?

Some do and some do not: check what is included in the listing before you order the extras separately.

Start small

The essentials are a set, racks, a mat and the card. Everything else can come later, or makes a good gift: see our mahjong gift ideas.